Australian Football

Match Report

There were just a pair of games for the weekend, the first taking place on Saturday afternoon at the City Mazda Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods hosted the Double Blues. Despite having the wood on the Bloods last season, the Blues never truly put them away over their two games in 2017. It started with a 20-point win in Round 5 at Unley, followed by a four-goal victory at Richmond in Round 15. The Bloods have been getting more and more confident as of late, but like Sturt have had a couple of slip ups along the way. 

Both came into this game on the back of wins, with West punishing the Crows and the Blues bringing down the Tigers. An evenly fought first quarter would ensue, with both sides kicking 3.2 to begin the day's proceedings and tie the scores at quarter-time. Sturt's second term would put them in front by half-time, kicking 4.2 to the Bloods' 2.1 to lead by 13 points at the break. When play resumed, the Blues were forced into a tussle just to keep Westies at arm's length, the home side missing some key players but were up for the fight. Sturt extended their lead to 20 points by the final change, scoring 4.2 to 3.1 in the third term. The Bloods kept trying, but the Blues defence held firm to win by 19 points after a two goal to 2.1 final term. 

Mark Evans kicked six goals and took best afield votes for the Blues, West named John Noble as their best player.